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The '''humanities''' are those academic disciplines which study the [[human condition]] using methods that are largely [[analytic]], [[critical]], or [[speculative]], as distinguished from the mainly [[empirical]] approaches of the [[natural science|natural]] and [[social sciences]]. Conventionally the humanities include [[Languages|ancient and modern languages]] and [[literature]],  [[history]], [[philosophy]],  [[religion]], [[visual arts|visual]] and [[performing arts]] (including [[music]]).  Additional subjects sometimes included in the humanities are [[anthropology]], [[area studies]], [[communications]] and [[cultural studies]], although these are often regarded as social sciences. Scholars working in the humanities are sometimes described as "humanists". But that term also describes the philosophical position of [[humanism]], which some "[[antihumanist]]" scholars in the humanities reject.

The '''humanities''' are those academic disciplines which study the [[human condition]] using methods that are largely [[analytic]], [[critical]], or [[speculative]], as distinguished from the mainly [[empirical]] approaches of the [[natural science|natural]] and [[social sciences]]. Conventionally the humanities include [[Languages|ancient and modern languages]] and [[literature]],  [[history]], [[philosophy]],  [[religion]], [[visual arts|visual]] and [[performing arts]] (including [[music]]).  Additional subjects sometimes included in the humanities are [[anthropology]], [[area studies]], [[communications]] and [[cultural studies]], although these are often regarded as social sciences. Scholars working in the humanities are sometimes described as "humanists". But that term also describes the philosophical position of [[humanism]], which some "[[antihumanist]]" scholars in the humanities reject.

==Humanities fields==

==Humanities fields==

===Classics===

===Classics===

The classics, in the Western academic tradition, refer to cultures of [[classical antiquity]], namely the Ancient Greek and Roman cultures.  Classical study was formerly considered one of the cornerstones of the humanities, but the classics declined in importance during the [[20th century]].  Nevertheless, the influence of classical ideas in humanities such as philosophy and literature remain strong.

The classics, in the Western academic tradition, refer to cultures of [[classical antiquity]], namely the Ancient Greek and Roman cultures.  Classical study was formerly considered one of the cornerstones of the humanities, but the classics declined in importance during the [[20th century]].  Nevertheless, the influence of classical ideas in humanities such as philosophy and literature remain strong.

Artists who participate in these arts in front of an audience are called performers, including [[actor]]s, [[comedian]]s, [[dancer]]s, [[musician]]s, and [[singer]]s. Performing arts are also supported by workers in related fields, such as [[songwriting]] and [[stagecraft]]. Performers often adapt their [[physical appearance|appearance]], such as with [[costume]]s and [[cosmetics|stage makeup]], etc. There is also a specialized form of [[fine art]] in which the artists ''perform'' their work live to an audience. This is called [[Performance art]]. Most performance art also involves some form of plastic art, perhaps in the creation of [[Theatrical property|prop]]s. Dance was often referred to as a ''plastic art'' during the [[Modern dance]] era.

Artists who participate in these arts in front of an audience are called performers, including [[actor]]s, [[comedian]]s, [[dancer]]s, [[musician]]s, and [[singer]]s. Performing arts are also supported by workers in related fields, such as [[songwriting]] and [[stagecraft]]. Performers often adapt their [[physical appearance|appearance]], such as with [[costume]]s and [[cosmetics|stage makeup]], etc. There is also a specialized form of [[fine art]] in which the artists ''perform'' their work live to an audience. This is called [[Performance art]]. Most performance art also involves some form of plastic art, perhaps in the creation of [[Theatrical property|prop]]s. Dance was often referred to as a ''plastic art'' during the [[Modern dance]] era.

Music

'''Music'''

Music as an academic discipline mainly focuses on two career paths, music [[performance]] (focused on the [[orchestra]] and the [[concert hall]]) and [[music education]] (training music teachers).  Students learn to play [[musical instrument|instruments]], but also study [[music theory]], [[musicology]], [[history of music]] and [[musical composition|composition]].  In the liberal arts tradition, music is also used to broaden skills of non-musicians by teaching skills such as concentration and listening.

Music as an academic discipline mainly focuses on two career paths, music [[performance]] (focused on the [[orchestra]] and the [[concert hall]]) and [[music education]] (training music teachers).  Students learn to play [[musical instrument|instruments]], but also study [[music theory]], [[musicology]], [[history of music]] and [[musical composition|composition]].  In the liberal arts tradition, music is also used to broaden skills of non-musicians by teaching skills such as concentration and listening.

;Theatre

'''Theatre'''

Theatre (or theater) (Greek "theatron", ''θέατρον'') is the branch of the [[performing arts]] concerned with [[acting]] out stories in front of an audience using combinations of speech, gesture, music, dance, sound and spectacle — indeed any one or more elements of the other performing arts. In addition to the standard narrative dialogue style, theatre takes such forms as [[opera]], [[ballet]], [[mime artist|mime]], [[kabuki]], [[classical Indian dance]], [[Chinese opera]],  [[mummers' play]]s, and [[pantomime]].

Theatre (or theater) (Greek "theatron", ''θέατρον'') is the branch of the [[performing arts]] concerned with [[acting]] out stories in front of an audience using combinations of speech, gesture, music, dance, sound and spectacle — indeed any one or more elements of the other performing arts. In addition to the standard narrative dialogue style, theatre takes such forms as [[opera]], [[ballet]], [[mime artist|mime]], [[kabuki]], [[classical Indian dance]], [[Chinese opera]],  [[mummers' play]]s, and [[pantomime]].

Dance

'''Dance'''

Dance (from [[Old French]] ''dancier'', perhaps from [[Old Frankish language|Frankish]]) generally refers to [[human]] [[Motion (physics)|movement]] either used as a form of [[expression]] or presented in a [[social]], [[spirituality|spiritual]] or [[performance]] setting. Dance is also used to describe methods of [[non-verbal communication]] (see [[body language]]) between humans or [[animal]]s ([[Bee learning and communication#Dance language|bee dance]], mating dance), [[Motion (physics)|motion]] in inanimate objects (''the [[leaves]] danced in the [[wind]]''), and certain [[dance (musical form)|musical form]]s or [[music|genre]]s. [[Choreography]] is the art of making dances, and the person who does this is called a choreographer.

Dance (from [[Old French]] ''dancier'', perhaps from [[Old Frankish language|Frankish]]) generally refers to [[human]] [[Motion (physics)|movement]] either used as a form of [[expression]] or presented in a [[social]], [[spirituality|spiritual]] or [[performance]] setting. Dance is also used to describe methods of [[non-verbal communication]] (see [[body language]]) between humans or [[animal]]s ([[Bee learning and communication#Dance language|bee dance]], mating dance), [[Motion (physics)|motion]] in inanimate objects (''the [[leaves]] danced in the [[wind]]''), and certain [[dance (musical form)|musical form]]s or [[music|genre]]s. [[Choreography]] is the art of making dances, and the person who does this is called a choreographer.

===Philosophy===

===Philosophy===

Philosophy is [[ancient Greek]] for the love of wisdom.

[[Philosophy]] is [[ancient Greek]] for the [[love]] of [[wisdom]].

 

 

===Religion===

===Religion===

===The digital age===

===The digital age===

Language and literature are considered to be the central topics in humanities, so the impact of electronic communication is of great concern to those in the field.  The immediacy of modern technology and the internet speeds up communication, but may threaten "deferred" forms of communication such as literature and "dumb down" language.  The library is also changing rapidly as bookshelves are replaced by computer terminals.  Despite the fact that humanities will have to adapt rapidly to these changes, it is unlikely that the traditional forms of literature will be completely abandoned.

Language and literature are considered to be the central topics in humanities, so the impact of electronic communication is of great concern to those in the field.  The immediacy of modern technology and the internet speeds up communication, but may threaten "deferred" forms of communication such as literature and "dumb down" language.  The library is also changing rapidly as bookshelves are replaced by computer terminals.  Despite the fact that humanities will have to adapt rapidly to these changes, it is unlikely that the traditional forms of literature will be completely abandoned.